Analysis: Fernandes and Casemiro take centre stage

With Michael Carrick's status yet to be confirmed, it was a day to remember in other aspects.

Matheus Cunha almost laughed at Luke Shaw's impromptu reaction at scoring.

It was hardly a surprise. The left-back's last Premier League goal came against Bournemouth in January 2023. It was only his fifth in all competitions for Manchester United.

Bruno Fernandes had already had two games to get his 20th assist. When Bryan Mbeumo blazed over after being sent through by the Portugal midfielder, Fernandes buried his head in the turf, presumably fearing the momentous assist would never come.

Finally - after Mbeumo had wasted another chance to break a goal drought stretching back to 7 February when he thudded a first-half shot against the post - it came, sparking gleeful celebrations from the United players, who ran to Fernandes almost before acclaiming the man who had scored the goal.

Fernandes might have had the record to himself, only for Dalot to thud a shot against the base of a post in stoppage time, after nicking the ball away from his fellow countryman.

The biggest reaction was for Casemiro though.

The Brazilian looked genuinely moved as he made his way slowly to the touchline when he was replaced by Mason Mount nine minutes from time, shaking hands with team-mates on the way.

Joshua Zirkzee came close to adding another for the hosts just before the end. But it didn't really matter on a day when Fernandes and Casemiro took centre stage.